The majority of episodes of diarrhea are brief or acute and short-lived. However, some individuals experience persistent, up to several weeks-long diarrhea.
When to see a doctor, how to get fast relief, and how long diarrhea typically lasts are all discussed in this article.
How to stop diarrhea fast
Anti-diarrheal medication
Acute diarrhea is typically treated with over-the-counter medications like these:
- Loperamide, Imodium: This medication slows digestion, allowing the body to draw more water from the intestines. This contributes to firmer stools and less frequent bowel movements.
- Pepto-Bismol, a bismuth subsalicylate: Some of the bacteria that can cause diarrhea in a person’s gut are coated and killed by this medication.
Trusted Source advises against taking the aforementioned medications if diarrhea is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:
fever, symptoms of infection, and bloody stools
Antibiotics
Antibiotics can be used to treat a bacterial infection of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Bacteria can spread by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. It is known that the following bacteria frequently cause diarrhea:
E. coli, or Salmonella, Shigella, or Campylobacter
Diet adjustment
By making certain dietary adjustments, an acute episode of diarrhea may be alleviated and the risk of additional complications reduced. A few models are:
eating bland food: The likelihood of further GI upset and diarrhea is decreased by eating foods that are bland and simple to digest. A popular treatment for upset stomachs is the BRAT diet, which is an abbreviation for the bland foods listed below.
Toast with bananas, rice, and applesauce Increasing soluble fiber intake: Soluble fiber is a type of fiber that absorbs fluid in the intestines. As a result, it helps keep stools firm and prevents diarrhea. A lot of soluble fiber can be found in the following foods:
cereals, bread, pasta, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. People should try to eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day rather than two or three large meals at once.
Recovery after eating: The digestion process is slowed down when you relax after eating. This may help with fewer bowel movements per day.
Hydration
When a person’s stools are loose and watery, they lose fluids and electrolytes. Dehydration and its complications can occur quickly as a result.
Symptoms of dehydration include:
After each bout of diarrhea, a person should drink at least one cup of fluids to prevent dehydration because low urine output causes thirst and confusion. Sports drinks and fruit juices are excellent options because they are high in potassium and other necessary electrolytes.
Supplements
For diarrhea relief, the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders recommends the following supplements:
Psyllium, pectin, and blackberry root bark’s probiotics may help the digestive system function more slowly, making bowel movements less frequent and less urgent.
Probiotics may shorten the duration of diarrhea in children. However, people on antibiotics should finish their course before taking probiotics.
Fast relief methods for infants
Infants are treated differently than adults for acute diarrhea. For instance, unless prescribed by a doctor, over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications are not appropriate for children Trusted Source.
The following are some approaches to treating infant diarrhea.
Rehydration
An infant who has diarrhea should continue to eat and drink as usual. According to Trusted Source, breastfeeding should continue if the infant is still willing to drink fluids.
Oral rehydration solutions can aid in the replenishment of lost fluids and electrolytes during diarrhea episodes. The following are examples of these solutions:
Enfalyte, CeraLyte, Naturalyte, and Pedialyte
Zinc supplementation
According to a 2014 review article, taking zinc supplements on a daily basis may help treat and prevent episodes of acute diarrhea in infants. Children older than two months should take 20 milligrams of zinc per day for ten days.
More research is required to determine whether this kind of treatment can be used on adults.
What not to do
Diarrhea patients should stay away from foods and ingredients that can make diarrhea worse. These include the following:
Foods high in fructose, caffeine, alcohol, prune juice, dried fruits, sugar substitutes, fatty foods, fried foods, spicy foods, and persistent or recurrent diarrhea may all be indications of an underlying food intolerance or sensitivity. Anyone suspected of having a food sensitivity or intolerance should avoid foods that cause diarrhea.
Common causes of food sensitivities and intolerances include:
Lactose: a sugar that occurs naturally in milk and dairy products.
Fructose: a sugar that occurs naturally in fruits.
Gluten: grains’ proteins, like those in barley, rye, and wheat.
Typical duration of diarrhea
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), a reliable source, defines “diarrhea” as having three or more loose, watery stools per day.
The NIDDK-Trusted Source divides diarrhea into three categories according to its duration:
Acute: Diarrhea that typically goes away on its own within a day or two. This is the type that is used the most.
Persistent: Diarrhea that lasts two to four weeks or more.
Chronic: diarrhea that lasts for at least four weeks. The symptoms might come and go or last a long time.
The NIDDK-Trusted Source recommends consulting a doctor if adults experience diarrhea for more than two days. Additionally, children should see a doctor if their diarrhea continues for more than 24 hours.
How to ease symptoms in the meantime
Acute diarrhea may persist for several days. In the interim, individuals can assist in alleviating their symptoms by implementing the following recommendations:
taking over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications to alleviate gas and bloating pain, drinking a lot of broths, juices, and water to keep hydrated, and getting plenty of rest to help the digestive system work more slowly
When to see a doctor
Adults should see a doctor if they have six or more episodes of diarrhea in a 24-hour period or if their diarrhea lasts longer than two days. Additionally, they should see a doctor if any of the following symptoms accompany their diarrhea:
Frequent vomiting, severe pain in the stomach, abdomen, or rectum, and bloody or tarry stools are all indications of dehydration. If an infant experiences any of the following symptoms or has diarrhea that persists for more than 24 hours, they should see a doctor:
Fever, bloody, pus-filled stools, dark, tarry stools, and fever are all signs of dehydration. If you or a child has diarrhea and has a weak immune system or other underlying medical conditions, you should see a doctor right away.
